The beloved physician Luke wrote how he, Paul, and others with him were sailing toward Rome, and although Paul warned them not to leave Crete, they left anyway and a storm arose that eventually caused them to be “fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that you have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse thirty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared, “then were they all of good cheer” where we read:
Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
The verse begins, “Then were they all of good cheer, ...” Luke began with the words, “then were they all” which means “at that time each, every, the whole and everyone aboard the ship were” “of good cheer” or “in fine spirits and more cheerful”. Luke shared how everyone aboard the ship were “more cheerful” than they were before “Paul” spoke.
The verse continues, “and they also took some meat.” Luke continued with the words, “and they also” which means “and the men aboard the ship even so and indeed” “took some meat” or “received a portion of food”. Luke shared how the “cheerful” men aboard the ship also ate some food.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how everyone aboard the ship was at this point encouraged and cheerful as they consumed some food and believed “Paul's” words. God gave “Paul” the inspiration to have the physical and emotional needs of the people aboard the ship met, and because He loves people so much, He sent His Son Jesus to the world to die for the sins of mankind so their spiritual need would be met as well. Anyone who yields to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, and those who are wise understand “Paul's” instructions to the men aboard the ship were all part of God's plan to offer physical salvation and preservation to everyone aboard the ship, and eternal salvation to everyone who believes in His Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how they, “were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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